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a Friday, May 2,1997/Las Vegas Review-JoumaB/3 ^UP FRONT?╓¬ 'Les Folies Bergere' gets revamped by Jackson By Michael Paskevich Review-Journal ?√ß erry Jackson, a theatrical ?√ß jack of all trades involved in w ?╟úLes Folies Bergere?╟Ñ at the Tropicana since 1966, was look- ing forward for giving the grande dame of Las Vegas pro- duction shows a much-needed face lift. Having conceived, choreo- graphed and directed three sep- arate editions of the city?╟╓s oldest revue at 39 years old, including the 16th edition that ran from 1983 to 1997, he felt the over- haul was surely overdue. ?╟úIn 1983,1 was told it would run for two years and then I could make some changes,?╟Ñ he says. ?╟úIt turned out it was 14 years later.?╟Ñ And when he recently dropped in to see how his latest work was holding up ?╟÷ Jackson also updated the 15th edition that ran from 1975-83 ?╟÷ he was less than thrilled. ?╟úI was disappointed because the energy just wasn?╟╓t there, says. Jackson, whose vast knowledge of the Parisian-style stage spectaculars that date back to 1869 led him to choreo- graph the 100th anniversary of the original ?╟úLes Folies?╟Ñ in Par- is in 1966. From there, a move to the Vegas version was a nat- ural. Word finally came down in December that Jackson should set to work on a revamped show, leaving him just a few months to create new numbers, rework existing segments and bring back to life some of the show?╟╓s ?╟úclassic?╟Ñ numbers from the past. The Tropicana?╟╓s reworked ?╟úLes Folies Bergere?╟Ñ features a Busby Berkeley-style number that has female dancers waving fans and performing Lennox McLendon/Associated Press synchronized leg movements on a rotating turnta- ble, their reflection visible via an angled mirror behind them. In a short span he did every- thing from writing new music and choreography to shopping Los Angeles fabric stores for new costumes, leaving him an aver- age of four hours sleep per night. He even added a cohesive theme ?╟÷ a sometimes campy Creator and director Jerry Jackson says, ?╟úI was really thrilled because there were so many people who were feeling positive about the show." tribute to the changing fash- ions and social mores of wom- en from the music hall days of the 1860s to the present. ?╟úIt was a challenge,?╟Ñ he says, ?╟úand I wanted to add as many new ele- ments as possible.?╟Ñ Mission accomplished. The new ?╟úLes Folies Bergere,?╟Ñ subtitled as ?╟úsexier than ever,?╟Ñ is up and running with perhaps 80 percent of the production con- taining brand new or reworked . numbers plus altered takes on holdover segments. As much as 90 percent of the music is new as well, and the show drew an ex- tended standing-ovation reaction at a recent invitation-only premiere. ?╟úI was really thrilled be- cause there were so many people who were feeling positive about the show,?╟Ñ says Jackson, who, being something of a perfection- ist, noted his concern about a misplaced magenta spotlight shining against a gold curtain. Tm still analyzing it and Fll be coming back this week for some touch-ups.?╟Ñ Among the few remaining , segmentsfrom Jackson?╟╓s last edition are a shortened ?╟úJitter- bug?╟Ñ number and a Busby Berkeley-style number Please see FOLIES/8 Preview What: "Les Folies Bergere" When: 8 and 10:30 p.m. daily, except Thursdays Where: Tropicana, 3801 Las Vegas Blvd. South Tickets: $45 HOT TICKETS TELLER, LEFT, AND PENN Penn & Teller coming to Bally's Penn & Teller have performed the secrets of illusion for more than 20 years. Las Vegas audiences can witness the fun when the magic and comedy duo reappears through May 7 in the Celebrity Room at Baity?╟╓s, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The eccentric pair will entertain at 9 p.m. daily. Tickets are $33 and can be purchased by calling the Bally?╟╓s Box Office, 739-4567. Penn & Teller are regular guests on ?╟úThe Tonight Show With Jay Leno,"The Late Show With David Letterman?╟Ñ and ?╟úLive With Regis & Kathie Lee.?╟Ñ They also have appeared on other television shows including ?╟úThe Today Show,?╟Ñ ?╟úSaturday Night Live,?╟Ñ ?╟úPenn & Teller,?╟Ñ ?╟úPenn & Teller?╟╓s Phobophiiia,?╟Ñ and they were featured performers in ?╟úAn Evening With the Boston Pops.?╟Ñ Currently, Penn lends his voice to the cast of Wait Disney?╟╓s ?╟úToy Story,?╟Ñ and Teller is featured as Mortimer in the motion picture adaptation of ?╟úThe Fantasticks.?╟Ñ Penn and Teller have written three books: ?╟úPenn & Teller?╟╓s Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends,?╟Ñ ?╟úHow to Play with Your Food?╟Ñ and the latest book, ?╟úPenn & Teller?╟╓s How to Play in Traffic.?╟Ñ ?√ß?√ß?√ßI